WhatsApp, the encrypted messaging app owned by Facebook, has just updated its policy. Now, users must choose between sharing their personal data with Facebook or deleting their account and stopping use of the app.
When launching WhatsApp, a large notification automatically appears, requiring users to accept sharing their data with parent company Facebook. If they refuse, their account will be disabled after February 8.
This move is clearly Facebook’s response to Apple. Earlier, Apple introduced new privacy rules on iOS 14 that let users see what personal data apps collect and decide whether to allow or block it.
If users don’t allow data collection, Facebook simply won’t let them use the app. Facebook seems to be testing this tactic on WhatsApp before applying it to its core apps like Facebook and Messenger.
Facebook also updated its policy to allow sharing data collected from WhatsApp with its other subsidiaries. A Facebook spokesperson said, “As part of Facebook, WhatsApp is responsible for sharing data and has the right to share data with Facebook. We can use data from them, and they can use data from us, to help improve, operate, provide services, and better support users.”
Meanwhile, WhatsApp representatives gave no clear answers, only vaguely stating that the change will help both platforms grow better.
But this is a forced move that leaves users no choice but to share their personal data with Facebook or lose access to the app. It directly contradicts Apple’s privacy intentions.
This is Facebook’s counterattack on Apple, but it targets users and could backfire badly. People can easily switch to other encrypted messaging apps and boycott Facebook’s approach.
Possibly fearing strong user backlash, Facebook hasn’t applied this new policy to its core apps like Messenger or Instagram yet. But if the battle between Facebook and Apple heats up, users might end up losing the most.
Source: arstechnica
